Following a dispute with the store's landlord related to a broken air conditioning system, the Best Bookstore in Palm Springs is moving to a new location in Palm Springs, Calif., the Palm Springs Post reported.
Store owners Paul Bradley Carr and Sarah Lacy have found a new space with the help of other business owners and community members. While they have not officially announced the new location's address, they did note that it is only about a block away from the current space and has affordable rent and working AC.
The bookstore has until August 10 to leave its current space. In the meantime, Lacy and Carr are running a "buy two, get one free" sale on all inventory and are raising funds to help with the move. Donors who contribute more than $100 will get a limited-edition T-shirt as well as a 10% discount while wearing said shirt, and donors who contribute $1,000 or more will be included on a mural the owners are designing for the new space, along with a lifetime 10% off discount.
The bookstore's air conditioning failed over Fourth of July weekend, and when store owners Carr and Lacy reached out to their landlord about getting the unit repaired, the landlord refused. The bookstore was left without AC in an area that routinely sees triple-digit heat in the summer. Although the landlord has since offered to pay 50% of the repair costs, Carr and Lacy are instead taking them up on a different offer--to leave their lease early.
After sharing their story about the broken AC, Carr told the Palm Springs Post, "people flooded in. People posting online--can we contact the landlords on your behalf? We've had people come in and say, 'I want to buy a $500 gift card just to help you guys.' "
The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs opened in late 2022.